Meetings

JAN 13, '26

Council will nominate officers (Council President and Vice President), consider City Council rules (2026-002) with a planned Addendum L revision, review 2026–2027 meeting schedules, and accept resignations/announce vacancies for the School Committee and the Library Board of Trustees.

JAN 12, '26

Planning Board approved an ANR for 38.5 Rocky Hill Rd, approved the Definitive Subdivision and Special Permit for 102 Kimball Rd (including deeded open space to the city), and approved a Special Permit for 6 Lake Attitash Way; the large 27.5–29 Clarks Road proposal (Eagles Crossing) was continued with significant design, traffic, and environmental discussion.

JAN 8, '26

The Historical Commission will review several property-specific matters including preliminary presentations for preservation projects at 19 Prospect Street, 2-4 Elmwood, and 230 Main Street, and will hear determinations of historic eligibility or demolition significance for properties at 9 School Street (Ordway), 5 School Street, 14 Maple Street, and 234 Main Street.

JAN 8, '26

Board moved to contact City Councilors and potentially form a committee to meet the Mayor over the prolonged vacancy and recent removal of the Amesbury Council on Aging Director job posting; the Program Coordinator position has been eliminated.

JAN 7, '26

Director presented a request to hire a full‑time RTI Tier 2 teacher ($62K) and proposed adding a part‑time Assistant Director role (Amy Moore split between communications and special education); the Director reported a $450K Community Preservation Act grant application for Phase 2 of the grounds/playground (includes a gazebo prize) and noted playground installation delays and concerns that some students’ IEP services are not being fully met.

JAN 7, '26

Agenda includes election of the Cultural Center Subcommittee chair, discussion of facility and AV installation and short-term supplies (including furniture), and review of the mayor's feedback on the draft space use procedure and reservation request form.

JAN 6, '26

Discussion and vote on Emily Jewett’s Main Street mural proposal; a vote to fiscally support the YWCA Great Newburyport’s Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Commemoration Breakfast & Day of Service; updates on Juneteenth and discussion of core values and goals for 2026.

JAN 6, '26

JAN 5, '26

Commission approved wetland delineation ANRAD 002-1350 (131 Haverhill Rd), accepted Weston & Sampson as the peer reviewer for NOI 002-1356 (394 and B154/C155 TAP Transmission Line ROW), authorized peer review for ANRAD 002-1361 (27 Kimball Rd), and ordered a stormwater peer review and site visit for NOI 002-1360 (29 Lake Attitash Rd); the public hearing for the 152-unit development at 27.5-29 Clarks Road (NOI 002-1359) was continued to Feb. 2, 2026.

DEC 30, '25

DEC 22, '25

Planning Board approved the site plan for 47 Macy St (with a pre‑construction site survey requirement), continued review and directed staff actions on 45 Main St (Historic Preservation Special Permit — parking/roof height coordination with Police and DRC), and heard extended public testimony and peer‑review updates on large developments including Rocky Hill/27.5–29 Clarks Rd and related MassWorks/Clarks Road improvements.

DEC 17, '25

Informal TRC review and public comment on a proposed 40B build-to-rent development at 27 Kimball Road; developer presented a cottage-style multifamily concept and answered questions about traffic, wetlands, stormwater, emergency access and affordability.

DEC 16, '25

Board discussed updating the municipal health department fee schedule and agreed to pursue next steps, including determining whether a City Council vote is necessary; the board also lifted the cyanobacteria advisory for Lake Attitash following a recent inspection.

DEC 15, '25

DEC 10, '25

Discussion of a proposed invasive-species demonstration at Woodsom Farm (referred to DPW for review), invasive-plant removal and messaging around Batchelder (Po Hill) Park work, and referral 2025-121 concerning acceptance of a quitclaim deed for a subdivision open-space parcel at 47.5–57 Kimball Road; committee also prioritized an Open Space & Recreation Plan update for early 2026.

DEC 10, '25

DEC 10, '25

Committee confirmed receipt of a $150,000 Newburyport CPC award earmarked for the Grounds Redesign (expected January 2026), reported Phase 1 appears on budget, and discussed beginning Phase 2 planning and submitting 2026 CPC requests.

DEC 9, '25

Council approved two collective bargaining agreements (AFSCME 2025-114 and IAFF Local 1783 2025-125), authorized a $120,416.38 salary-reserve transfer (2025-126), withdrew three Kimball Road orders (2025-121/2025-122/2025-123), and finalized FY26 tax classification decisions (2025-124: adopt Factor 1; no open space discount, no residential or commercial exemptions).

DEC 8, '25

Board recommended approval of Bill 2025-121 to accept open space from the Kimball Road subdivision, continued review of the large 27.5–29 Clarks Rd development (peer review outstanding), approved a special permit for 6 Cedar Court (with DPW verification), and authorized bond/covenant actions including a surety bond release for 14 S Hunt Rd and release of 101 Market St Unit A from its covenant.

DEC 8, '25

Technical Review Committee reviewed redevelopment proposals for 45 Main Street (Fuller Building conversion of upper floors to apartments with storefront changes and a modest roof raise) and 5 & 9 School Street (Ordway Building conversion to six units with parking reconfiguration, a new sidewalk connection, and potential easements). The committee also reviewed a proposed dog grooming business at 47 Macy Street and an accessory dwelling unit conversion at 6 Cedar Court.